WRESTLER SUES FOR LIBEL

Taranaki Daily News, 30 November 1932, Page 7

WRESTLER SUES FOR LIBEL

AWARDED SHILLING DAMAGES.

PETER LIMUTKIN AT LAW.

By Telegraph.—Press Association.

Wellington, Last Night

A libel action .by Peter Limutkin, wrestler, claiming £75 damages from Wames and Stephenson, proprietors of the newspaper New Zealand Sportsman, in connection with a statement by Al Karasick, another wrestler, in commenting on a challenge by Limutkin offering to wrestle, inter alia, for charity, was heard in the Magistrate’s Court to-day. Limutkin was awarded Is. damages. The statement referred to the match with Limutkin as a “pipe-opener,” and “this charity business is all bunk. All he - is looking for is a good house.” Plaintiff’s counsel alleged that the statement was never made by Karasick and was written by a publicity agent. The Sportsman published a correction in which Karasick denied having made or authorised such a statement, but Limut- ■ kin did not consider it sufficient.

Counsel for the defendant submitted, firstly, that there was no libel contained in the statement, secondly, that the statement was fair comment, a matter of public interest, made in good faith and without malice.

After one witness for the defence had given evidence the magistrate siid it was clear to him that libel had been committed, but he thought that no damage had been suffered.